Why the Steelers Should Win

1.) You are right that the personel is not that diffrent but you are way off in terms of how they are playing. The D last year was in the first year of the 3-4. The Packers are leaps and bounds better in year two. The guys (Matthews, Raji) were rookies last year and have become much better this year.

2.) Spot on.

3.) Yes your guys are fast. Our reciving core is tallented. This is for sure edge Packers. Its not even that close.

4.) In the playoffs they have been very good covering the TE. Will it continue? Who knows but so far so good.

5.) Spot on.

6.) The Packers D backs are much better than the steelers. This is not close.

7.) At best it is even. This is weak for both teams, I say edge Packers because TM is punting very well and Crosby is shakey but has experience.

8.) Spot on, but the Packers have had two weeks to plan for it.

We won last year without Pouncey at center. The drop off between Pouncey and Legursky is pretty signficant. But the drop off from Justion Hartwig to Legursky is not that great. You doubt that? Consider this, Hartwig spent the year sofa-surfing while Legursky kept cashing NFL checks while he played in nearly every game and made meaningful contributions up and down the line (and in the backfield too).

So scratch one more supposed Green Bay advantage there.

But I would say applying last year’s results to this upcoming game is a stretch. Every season is new. Both teams have changed quite a bit.
As a huge Steelers’ fan I am nervous about the game because the Steelers had mediocre to shoddy performances against the Patriots and the Saints. Those two offenses are similar to GB’s (certainly in philosophy and output, if not exactly schematically), but Aaron Rodgers has exceptional mobility; superior to Brees and Brady. We couldn’t pressure either Brees or Brady too much, and the pass routes were there all night for them to sit back and hit. In GB’s case, even if we get in the backfield, Rodgers can elude rushers and make a play.
I know DL made some adjustments for more press coverage after the Pats game, but the Packers receivers are physical as well as fast (unlike NE’s group, who are quick but not really physical). It’s not a good match up for our secondary (Troy will have to be on fire…). Ike Taylor (I think it was Ike) was abused on Holmes’ long TD catch in the AFCC. Holmes is also physical and fast. Rodgers is incredibly accurate and won’t miss many passes to open receivers. He’s no Flacco or Sanchez in that regard. And, he’s much better under a pass-rush than Brady. At least he has been this season.
I think the bottom line is that our defense has less margin for error than GB’s defense has against our offense. And, GB’s defense will likely get pressure on Ben. It’s a good thing he’s great at escaping pressure, because he’s probably going to see a lot of it.
Let’s hope we can get the running game going early and often, let the D rest, and keep GB’s offense off the field. Of course, I think Ben is best clutch QB in the game right now, so if it’s close, with our offense on the field near the end, I’d like our chances. But I’d call it a pretty even match up of teams at this point. Definitely reason to be nervous. That’s why they play the game. Let ‘em go at it and let’s enjoy watching.

It is a great compliment to the Steeler Way and to Steeltown that the Packer organization realized they had to become Steelrs II to stomp the hated Cowboys and other rivals. They get Steeler coaches (Capers, Kevin Greene). THey get a Pgh native who was a life time Steeler fan as their head coach, They move to our defensive scheme, draft a QB who compares himself to BB, use an off year as an opportunity to draft a top-flite nose tackle in Raji, they use a first found pick to draft a OLB that flies to the QB almost as well as Harrison, they move their super athlete Woodson into the box to play like Troy at times. It is amazing. It is great that the other small market team has done this and that these two small market teams ae the 2 most popular teams in America. All other sports should watch and learn that allowing small markets to compete evenly and fairly is the right thing to do. If we can’t win, I want GB to have the title.